Fashion insiders: friends or foes?

Every generation has its share of geniuses. But in fashion (like in other creative fields), often one or two names are highlighted as torchbearers, and more often than not, pitted against and compared to each other. Read on for fashion's most well-known competitors.

Read: Mademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History, by Rhonda K. Garelick and Elsa Schiaparelli: A Biography, by Meryle Secrets

Why: The mistress of surrealism and the woman behind the little black dress were notoriously fierce rivals. Last October, two biographies released simultaneously, documenting their mutual dislike for each other.

Why: Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent divided Paris with their tribes of stylish women in the '70s. Fashion journalist Alicia Drake chronicles the fashion factions that arose as a result of their competition in the City of Lights.

1990s and 2000s: John Galliano and Alexander McQueen

Read: Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano By Dana Thomas

Why: Unlike the previous books, these two Brit designers were never really adversaries but often mentioned in the same breath for their revolutionary ideas. This book, releasing this week, charts their spectacular rise and tragic fall, and their imprint on contemporary fashion.